Definitions

jiàng (adjective) purple-red
Jiàng (noun) ancient place name in Jin State

Etymology phono-semantic

silk

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "绛" exemplifies a semantic-phonetic composition in which the silk radical on the left inherently connects it to threads and dyeing processes, while the component on the right acts primarily as a phonetic indicator, a structure preserved in its traditional form "絳" with the unsimplified silk radical. Etymologically, it originally specified a vivid red dye extracted from the madder plant, particularly in the context of coloring silk, which was a valued commodity in early material culture. Over centuries, its meaning expanded from this specific pigment to a more general term for a deep or crimson red, often employed in literary and historical texts to convey notions of solemnity and high status. Despite this semantic broadening, the character's foundational link to color and its structural integrity have remained consistent, reflecting its enduring role in describing hues within the Chinese linguistic tradition.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她的唇膏是红色。

Tā de chúngāo shì jiànghóng sè.

Her lipstick is a dark crimson color.

夕阳给云层染上了色。

Xīyáng gěi yún céng rǎn shàng le jiàng sè.

The sunset dyed the cloud layers a deep red.

这件紫色的毛衣很暖和。

Zhè jiàn jiàngzǐ sè de máoyī hěn nuǎnhuo.

This burgundy-colored sweater is very warm.

宫殿的帷幕是厚重的绒。

Gōngdiàn de wéimù shì hòuzhòng de jiàng róng.

The palace's curtains are made of thick crimson velvet.

画家用色渲染出悲壮的氛围。

Huàjiā yòng jiàng sè xuànrǎn chū bēizhuàng de fēnwéi.

The painter used crimson to evoke a tragic and heroic atmosphere.

古籍中常用纱来形容嫁衣。

Gǔjí zhōng cháng yòng jiàng shā lái xíngróng jiàyī.

Ancient texts often used "crimson gauze" to describe wedding dresses.

实验用的溶液逐渐变为红色。

Shíyàn yòng de róngyè zhújiàn biàn wéi jiànghóng sè.

The solution used in the experiment gradually turned crimson.

这种珠草据说只生长在深山。

Zhè zhǒng jiàngzhū cǎo jùshuō zhǐ shēngzhǎng zài shēnshān.

This type of "crimson pearl" herb is said to grow only in deep mountains.